Effects of three Quercus species on feeding performance of the green oak leaf roller, Tortrix viridana L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Feeding performance of the green oak leaf roller, Tortrix viridana (Linnaeus) was determined on three host plants including Quercus libani Oliv, Quercus infectoria Oliv, and Quercus branti Lindl, under laboratory conditions. Mean total leaf weight consumed by larvae was the highest on Q. branti (0.31 g) and the lowest on Q. libani (0.14 g).The feeding index was the highest on Q. libani while the other two host plants were not significantly different. Significant relationships were found between amount of consumed leaf tissues and resulting pupal weight, on all host plants. Larval and pupal mortality were not significantly different on host plants. Findings indicated that the feeding index could be a key factor to assess performance of T. viridana on Quercus species.